Screen-printed photochromic textiles with high fastness prepared by self-adhesive polymer latex particles

Photochromic textiles have received increasing attention due to their wearable properties and reversible discoloration. However, improving the poor fastness of photochromic textiles is always a problem. In this paper, the self-adhesive polymer (PSBM-SP) latex particles based on spiropyran were prepared and then applied to obtain photochromic textiles with high fastness. The PSBM-SP latex particles were prepared via semi-continuous emulsion polymerization of styrene (St), n-butyl acrylate (BA), vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS), and a selfsynthesized polymerizable photochromic monomer (SPMA). The chemical structure of SPMA was confirmed by 1H NMR and FT-IR. Results of UV-vis spectra indicated that the discoloration and fading process of PSBM-SP latex particles can be completed within 120 s and 150 s under ultraviolet and visible irradiation, respectively. The PSBM-SP latex particles retained good photochromic properties after the alternating ultraviolet and visible light for irradiation 30 times. Then, the PSBM-SP latex particles were used to prepare the screen-printed photochromic textiles by the chemical crosslinking and film formation, which showed softer hand feel and better fastness than the conventional printing with a large number of binders. Importantly, the prepared photochromic textiles had a fast UV-response performance and maintained impressive reusability after experiencing 30 washing cycles, proving their great potential in wearable and flexible textile-based photochromic materials.

Automated summary

Photochromic textiles with high fastness were successfully prepared using self-adhesive polymer latex particles based on spiropyran. The textiles showed excellent photochromic properties and soft hand feel compared to conventional printing methods. The prepared photochromic textiles also exhibited fast UV-response performance and impressive reusability after multiple washing cycles, indicating great potential for wearable and flexible applications.